Standard Common Name

Longfin Emperor

Alternative Name/s

Tail-saddled Emperor

Identification

The Longfin Emperor is brown to reddish, often lighter ventrally. The fins are usually bright red. Two pale bars are sometimes present on the caudal peduncle. The lips and base of the pectoral fins are red. The fish in the image to the right is unusually spotted.

Size range

The species grows to about 50 cm in length.

Distribution

It occurs in the Indo-west and Central Pacific. In Australia it is known from the offshore reefs of north-western Western Australia and the northern Great Barrier Reef, Queensland.

The map below shows the Australian distribution of the species based on public sightings and specimens in Australian Museums. Source: Atlas of Living Australia.